sTUMPED

[howoldisdirt]

I have a a 52 8n that won't start. Engine cranks. Fuel is good so I have been going after spark which is present but doesn't seem to be particularly strong. Compression is correct. New coil (2x), new points, condenser (2x), rotor and cap. Wires, timing and firing order are correct. All electrical connections have been redone. It cranks but never fires. What am I missing? Can the distributor itself be defective?

 

[Jim L WA]

You say the spark doesn't seem particularly strong. It's an angle mount distributor, correct? Will a spark jump 1/4 inch from the coil wire to the block? Will a spark jump across an old spark plug gaped to 1/4 inch? Points set at .025?
Is the battery fully charged?
What's the history on this 8N? Has it had this no start problem for a long time, or recent?

 

[howoldisdirt]

I've owned it the last ten years. Rebuilt the motor 5 years ago. I have a nice blue spark at the points and they are .025. Spark is present at plugs but is yellowish. That is at normal gap however. This tractor is 6 volt still so not sure how strong it will be? Battery is new this spring and fully charged.

 

[howoldisdirt]

Also, I don't think it is a slant. Not sure on this or if it is 50 or 52 but my coil is mounted on the front behind the fan.

 

[howoldisdirt]

(reply to post at 17:27:29 08/02/20) [/quo
Sorry....I can't see your post when I reply and I'm too old to remember it all....This is a new problem. She usually starts on the second rotation, faithfully.

 

[Bruce (VA)]

The point gap on a front distributor, as you say you have, is .015, NOT .025.

Your gap is nearly twice as wide as it should be.
75 Tips

 

[teddy52food]

If you have a lot of spark at the points, it has a bad condenser,.

 

[howoldisdirt]

Thanks...I'll adjust.

 

[howoldisdirt]

(reply to post at 17:27:29 08/02/20) [/quo
Sorry....I can't see your post when I reply and I'm too old to remember it all....This is a new problem. She usually starts on the second rotation, faithfully.

 

[howoldisdirt]

I don't see point spark like I used to but it looks normal and I already swapped the condenser twice....but point taken. I have bought bad ones before. Thanks.

 

[Bruce(OR)]

glazed points? try a file.

 

[howoldisdirt]

I set it to .015 today. Still no fire.

 

[Jim WI]

(quoted from post at 18:15:09 08/03/20)
I set it to .015 today. Still no fire.

Is your coil a cube or a cylinder?

If it is a cylinder, which side is the generator on? (Left or right as you are seated on the tractor.)

 

[howoldisdirt]

A cylinder. Mounts in front right behind the fan. Distributor is on the right side and generator is on the left or drivers side.

 

[howoldisdirt]

Thanks. The points are new and the tractor hasn't started since I installed them. I checked them when I reset them and there isn't any glazing.

 

[howoldisdirt]

I replaced the plugs so I will take the old one and set the gap to 1/4" tomorrow and try. If the rain is finally over that is.

 

[James Hill]

On my 58, I had this problem, turned out it was the intake manifold, it was not sealing and creating the vacumn needed To start the engine, had fuel, had spark but no
spark, tried leveling the manifold, tried double gasket it, finally just bought a new one, no more problems after that.

 

[howoldisdirt]

I took your post literally and set the actual gap at 1/4" Doesn't include the electrode. No spark across this. Advice?

 

[howoldisdirt]

That's an interesting problem. I rebuilt this 3 years ago, but I will check the manifold.